Celta Vigo show spirit

Celta Vigo came from behind to salvage a 2-2 draw from a dramatic game with Real Sociedad

Last Updated: 12/04/14 6:05pm

Celta Vigo came from behind to salvage a 2-2 draw from a dramatic game with Real Sociedad, despite playing the second half with 10 men.

Sergio Canales gave the Basques an early lead that was cancelled out by Nolito from the penalty spot after 38 minutes.

Antoine Griezmann put the visitors back in front with a thumping finish a couple of minutes before half-time and the afternoon got worse for Luis Enrique's side when Jon Aurtenetxe's rash tackle on Carlos Vela was punished by a red card in the 46th minute.

However, substitute Santi Mina levelled with eight minutes to go to take Celta to 37 points and deny Real Sociedad a chance to overtake Sevilla in the Primera Division table.

The first chance of the game fell to the lively Canales, who headed a Vela cross into the arms of Celta goalkeeper Yoel Rodriguez.

The visitors maintained their bright start and went ahead in the eighth minute, Canales following up his blocked shot with a more powerful effort that crept under the arms of Yoel on its way into the net.

Yoel nearly had another goalkeeping nightmare, keeping out a distant shot from Vela with more trouble than would be expected, and then looked on as Inigo Martinez headed just beyond the near post.

Real were cruising but Celta responded with their first attempt of the game, Nolito forcing a fine save from Claudio Bravo.

It was the first of several surges forward from the Galicians in quick succession, with Bravo also having to save from Rafinha and Michael Krohn-Dehli.

They got the opportunity their pressure had warranted when Mario Bermejo was felled in the box by Inigo, who was fortunate not to be shown a second yellow card.

Nolito blasted the penalty past Bravo, who guessed the right way but could not get across in time.

But Real reacted well, Vela narrowly shooting over the bar, before Griezmann scored his first goal since February, receiving a square ball from Imanol Agirretxe in the area, taking a couple of touches before smashing it in off the bar.

It was a cruel end to the half for Celta, who had a nightmare start to the second period too, Aurtenetxe shown a straight red card for a nasty tackle on Vela.

Griezmann should have killed off the game on two occasions after the sending-off, first shooting wide with just Yoel to beat, then seeing his effort cleared off the line by Jonny.

Agirretxe then headed just past the post with 12 minutes remaining, an effort he and his team would live to regret when Mina smashed the ball past a helpless Bravo with eight minutes remaining.

The Chilean goalkeeper then saved his team in the closing stages, winning a one-on-one battle with Fabian Orellana as Celta went gung-ho for the three points, but would have to settle with one.